Bike Committee June Minutes

[Sheila Fay]

            Watertown Bi-Ped Committee

                             Monthly Meeting June 2, 2008

 

 

 

 

Minutes of Watertown Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee

 

Present:  Fred Hewett, Peter Brooks, Mari Ryan, Janet Jameson,

Sheila Fay, Maria Saiz, Sue Tamber, Rachel Gould, Brad Parsons

* *Item: Commute by Bike presentation
Presentation went well despite technological problems.  We’d like to do it again next year.  What is needed?

1.       book room earlier and confirm and check technology.

2.       Advertise more: Newton Green Decade, environmental groups, target businesses such as Tufts, Harvard.

3.       Consider getting a grant to purchase “Street Smarts” to give away to participants. 

4.       Collaborate with police to encourage greater involvement.

 

* Item: Safe Routes to School

1. Grant applications were submitted mid April.  Mid May had site visit review from Walk Boston and Mass Rides.  Present were: Ruth Bender (Lowell school), Ernie Thebado (Watertown Boys & Girls Club), David Leon (parent & School Cmte.) and Officer Lloyd Burke and Mari.  We were first getting application in.  Answer was supposed to come end of May but they are backed up. 

2. PTO meetings in June @ all 3 schools.  Possibly start recruiting for SRS position (if we get it).

3. Watertown Comm. Foundation:  not due to notify us till later in June whether got $1700 requested for pedometers for 3^rd, 4^th & 5^th graders in the program.

4. Next plan to work with MassRides to draw from their coordinators information.

 

* Item: AWARD to BiPed Committee & Watertown Historical Society

Watertown Community Foundation is giving an award to the BiPed Committee and the WHS for “Wheels on the River”, our historical bike tour of Watertown, for ”active championing the historical aspect of Watertown”.

* Item: Traffic Commission     
Councilor Susan Falkoff is promoting the idea of a BiPed Comm. Member holding a seat on the Traffic Commission.  Will be discussed at Town Council 6/3.  Meetings alternate between days & nights, so some concern regarding getting to day meeting.  Otherwise all approved of the idea.

* Item: Watertown Branch Trail

Janet talked to Steve Tolman’s office:  DCR & Mass Highway met & worked out issues.  Waiting for notes.

Janet will call Warren Tolman regarding Newlywed Foods followup.

 

* Item: Bacon St.

Councilor Vinnie Piccirilli is following up on further Public Works committee meetings on this subject.

 

* Item: Bike Racks

DPW received the check from MAPC for the racks and will be buying more.  All those bought last year are installed.  1 died in the winter and some U racks have been damaged by kids pulling them out. 

 

*  Item:  Watertown Yard

Peter will FU again to see what is happening.

 

* Item:  Faire on the Square

Faire on the Square in September 27^th, 10^th Annual. Put in your calendars.

Start thinking about:  what kinds of presentations what to have there?  Where located?